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Rivian R1S to offer several roof options

Oh, so Fisker’s upcoming electric SUV is going to have a trick roof?


Well, two can play at that game! In a tweet to a reservation-holder, American electric vehicle startup, Rivian, revealed it’ll be offering no less than four different roof options on its upcoming R1S SUV.

In addition to the regular roof, there’ll be a fixed glass roof, a two-piece removable composite roof, and a roof with electrochromic glass. The latter can be toggled on demand between opaque and transparent via a menu in the infotainment system.

There’s no confirmation yet whether the related R1T dual-cab ute will have the same roof options but, given its market positioning and similar hard points, it seems likely.

Electrochromic glass roofs are a rare option, previously limited to the Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK convertibles (where it’s known as Magic Sky Control) and the McLaren 720S.

Ford and Amazon-backed Rivian is getting closer to the start of production, scheduled to commence at its Normal, Illinois plant in 2020.

That means Rivian’s trucks will commence production before Fisker’s upcoming electric SUV. They won’t compete at the same price point, however, as Fisker’s SUV is tipped to wear a US$40,000 (A$59,000) price tag while the Rivian R1S will start at US$72,500 (A$107,000). The R1T will start at US$69,000 (A$102,000).

Rivian has revealed there will be right-hand-drive models but hasn’t committed to a release date here in Australia, though the R1T and R1S could land here in 2022.

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